Tube support



Jan. 11', 1949. K J. YOUNG, JR 2,458,670

TUBE SUPPORT Filed Sept. 10, 1945 47 JOHN You/ade HAPP/ /Gscfg F015 Tse c Haie/5 Patented, Jan. 11, 1949 TUBE SUPPORT John Young, Jr., Southgate, Calif.,assignor to v Hughes Tool Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application September 10, 1945, Serial No. 615,449

14 Claims.

My invention relates to a means for sustaining elongated members and more specifically to devices of this general character which are particularly adapted for permitting facile and rapid installation and/or removal of the members.

Many installations emp-loying elongated members, such as wires, rods, tubes, pipes, etc., require the utilization of a means for sustaining the members in a positive and reliable manner while permitting independent attachment or detachment thereof with a minimum expenditure of time. The time consideration is especially important when removal of any one member or any combination thereof is necessary at relatively frequent intervals, or when large numbers of similar wires or tubes are to be secured to a supporting structure in an efcient and rapid manner.

The hydraulic system of the modern airplane provides a graphic illustration of these considerations, since the design thereof necessitates the installation of large number of hydraulic tubes or lines to convey fluid to the various hydraulicallyoperated components thereof. Because of the limited space available for the installation of the large number of tubes involved, the sustaining means must be compact and is preferably adapted for rapid and facile application to reduce the installation time required. The tube supports should be of a permanent and reliable nature While permitting individual attachment or removal of any one tube to effect repairs, or for other purposes without disturbing the remaining lines. The most eiiicient mode of installation involves routing parallel tubes through the airplane with a minimum spacing therebetween and providing a means of support at appropriate intervals. The conventional sustaining means comprises a pair of mutually complementary clamping blocks, one disposed on either side of the group of tubes and interconnected by means of bolts, one of the blocks being attached to the structure of the airplane to support the group of tubes. The principal disadvantages of this manner of attachment are the necessity for mounting all of the tubes simultaneously and the fact that all tubes must be released to permit removal of any one tube. These factors considerably increase the time required to effect any operations relating to the installation or removal of the tubes and unnecessarily complicate such operations.

A primary objective of my invention, therefore, is the provision of a means for sustaining elongated members which is adapted for rapid installation without sacrificing permanence and dependability.

Another object of my invention is to provide a supporting means which is compact and may be employed for individual attachment or detachment of closely-spaced adjacent members.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a supporting means adapted for effecting a positive locking action which will be unaffected by vibrational or other stresses.

An additional purpose of my invention is the provision of a spacing or insulating means for preventing direct contact between the elongated member and the supporting structure.

An important feature of my invention is to provide a simple and lightweight means for sustaining elongated members which may be fabricated and assembled inexpensively.

I prefer to effect a realization of these and yother objectives of my invention by means of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view representing an application of my invention to a pair of parallel tubular members;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of my invention in partially assembled form;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing a spring clip which forms one component of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig, 3 illustrating the completely assembled form thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View indicating another embodiment thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the sustaining means includes a mounting element lil adapted for embracing a tubular member 2U which is separated therefrom by a spa-cing means 30 and secured thereto by a resilient locking means 4U. The mounting element IU is preferably formed of a relatively thin plate of any suitable material and may be secured to a supporting structure (not shown)` y by any appropriate means as is Well known in the art. The mounting element IB is provided with an opening II therethrough which is larger than and adapted to receive the tube 25 therein. The shape of the opening Ii is preferably complementary to the peripheral configuration of the tube 20, a circular tub-e having been sele-cted for the purpose of illustrating the invention. The mounting element I is provided with a slot I2 extending inwardly from an edge I3 thereof to communicate with the opening Ii, the Width of the slot I2 being suflicient to permit lateral insertion of the tube 20 therethrough into the opening I-I and to deiine a pair of inwardlyextending segments i4 and I5 adjacent the sides thereof between the peripheral wall of the opening II and the edge I3.

The spacing means 30 is preferably an annular grommet formed of rubber,T neoprene or the like to separate the mounting element I5 and the tube and serves to protect the tube 25 against any damage resulting from` direct Contact. The spacing means 30 further tends to dampen any vibration of the mounting element I0 which may be transmitted to the tube in mechanical applications of the invention, or the invention may alsol be applied to` electrical installations by forming the spacing means' 3i)v of any appropriate insulating material.v Asbest shown in Fig. 3, the grommet is formed with a hole 3i therethrough and an annular groove 32 in the outer periphery thereof, the groove 32 defining a pair of spaced flanges 33 and 34. The spacing means 3i! is also preferably provided with a relatively wide radial slit 35 therein to permit insertion of thek locking means between the ends 35 and 31 thereof as will be described in detail hereinafter. The diameter of the base 38 of the groove 32 is preferably sufficient toprovide a snug t between the base 38 and the peripheral wall of the opening It, and the diameter of the flanges 33 and 34l should be sufficient to provideV an area of engagement with the mounting element Ill sufficient-y to prevent axial movement of the. grommety Sii relative to the mounting element ID. An adequate flange diameter may best be achieved by providing for peripheral insertion (insertion. parallel to the periphery of the open'- ing II) of the spacing means 30 during assembl-y of the device, since axial insertion (insertion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 20) would necessitate a small iiang-e diameter to permit forcing one flange 33 or 34 through the space between the tube 25 and the peripheral wall of the opening I` I Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 4, the locking means or spring clip 40 is preferably formed of a suitable spring metal and includes a base member 4I, which may be flexible or substantially rigid, and to which are secured a pair of spaced, laterally-extending, flexible arms 42 and 43, the attachment preferably being eifected by welding to the base member 4I intermediate the ends thereof iiang-es 44 and 45 formed on the arms 42 and 43, respectively. The free ends of the arms 42 and 43 are preferably flared outwardly to form flanges 46 and 4l which may be lined with pads and 49 of any suitable material consistent with the employment of the device. The flanges 44 and 45 are the bases of channel sections 50 and 5I which are disposed adjacent the ends of the base member 4I, as-

illustrated. The base member 4I is provided with an internally tapped hole 52 therethrough which is adapted for threaded reception of an externally-threaded. screw 5i,` the latter being. provided with a tapered point 54, as illustrated.

When assembling the device, the arms 42 and d3 can be urged together, as suggested in Fig. 4, by flexure of the arms or the base member 4I. The device is then inserted into the slot I2 until the flanges 4E and il slip under the inwardlyextending segments illand i5 of the mounting element I5 and engage the peripheral wall of the opening II and the pads d8 and 43 engage the surface of the tube 25. Axial displacement of the` spring clip 45 is prevented by the locking engagement of the channel sections 5i) and 5I with the edgel i3 of the mounting element Iii and release of the initial deformation applied to the arms 42 and 43 for the purpose of insertion into the slot I2 will tend to lock the spring clip 40 securely. I prefer, however, to provide the additional locking a-ction offered by the screw 53 which will. insure positive engagement by virtue of the spreading of the arms 42 and 43 by the tapered point 54 of the screw 53 as the latter is threadedly inserted into the hole 52 in the base member 4I. As the arms 42 and 43 expand, the flanges 45 and H engage the ends 35 and 3'! of the grommet 55 and effect peripheral compression thereof whereby radial expansion thereof occurs to provide a pressural contact with the mounting element IB andr tube 20.

The embodiments of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5 andv 7v provide a spacing means 3G which engages the entire periphery of the tube 20 and the pads le and 49 may be eliminated. The flanges 55 and di are slidably disposed between the base 3 of the groove 32 i-n the grommet 35 and the peripheral wall of the opening I and expansion of the arms 42 and `43 may be effected as previously discussed. If desired, recesses le and H may be provided in the mounting element i5 to accommodate the flanges 45 and di, as shown in Fig. '7, to facilitate expansion of the arms 4-2 and 43.

My invention thus provides a simple means for retaining the tube 25 within the opening II and insures a positive and dependable assembly. The spring clip di) may be installed or removed readily and will not be dislodged by vibration of the mounting element It, the expanding action offered by the tapered screw 53 providing, a reliable locking action. The assembly is extremely light and compact and may be employed for sustaining very closely-spaced, adjacent rod-like members while permitting suicient accessibility to effect individual attachment or detachment` of the members, the simplicity of the various components making for facile and inexpensive fabrication thereof.

Although i have herein described various specific embodiments of my invention and have suggested several applications thereof for the purpose of clarifying the disclosure, the underlying inventive concept is capable of a more general interpretation. and "f do not intend, therefore, to be limited to the specific disclosures containedr herein, but` reserve the rightA to the protection offered by the full scope of my appended claims.

i claim as my invention:

i. In a device for supportingv an elongated member, the combination of: a mounting element provided with an opening therethrough having rigidly defined walls for the reception of the elon gated member; spacing means disposed insaid opening between said elongated member and said mounting element; a resilient means extending into said open-ing; and means associated with said resilient means for eifecting deformation. thereof to force said spacing means into pressural ber in said opening.

contact with said mounting element and said elongated member to retain said elongated lmem- 2. In a device for supporting` an; elongated member, the combination of: amounting element provided with an opening therethrough and a slot vextending inwardly from an edge thereof to communicate rwith said opening, saidv slot and said opening having rigidly defined walls and being so dimensioned that the elongatedmember may pass through said slot into said opening; and locking means'extending through said slot into said opening for retaining said elongated member therein.

3. In a device for supporting an elongated member, the combination of: a mounting element provided with an opening therethrough and a slot extending inwardly from an edge thereof to communicate with said opening, said slot and said opening being so dimensioned that the elongated member may pass through said slot into said opening; locking means extending through said slot into said opening; and means associated with said locking means and adapted for expanding said locking means into locked relationship with the wall of said opening.

4. In a device for supporting an elongated member, the combination of: a mounting element provided with an opening therethrough and a slot extending inwardly from an edge thereof to communicate with said opening, said slot and said opening being so dimensioned that the elongated member may pass through said slot into said opening; spacing means disposed in said opening between said elongated member and said mounting element; locking means extending through said slot into said opening; and means associated with said locking means and adapted for expanding said locking means into locked relationship with the wall of said opening.

5. In a device for supporting an elongated member, the combination of: a mounting element provided with an opening therethrough and a slot extending inwardly from an edge thereof to communicate with said opening, said slot and said opening being so dimensioned that the elongated member may pass through said slot into said opening; and locking means extending through said slot into said opening, said locking means being provided with a base member spanning the outer end of said slot and having a pair of spaced arms extending therefrom through said slot and into said opening to engaged said mounting element and said elongated member.

6. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip comprising: a flexible base member; a pair of spaced flexible arms secured to said base member intermediate the ends thereof and extending laterally therefrom; and a pair of channel sections secured to said base member adjacent the ends thereof.

7. As an article of manufacture, a spring clip comprising: a flexible base member; a pair of spaced flexible arms secured to said base member intermediate the ends thereof and extending laterally therefrom; a tapered pin inserted between said arms to regulate the spacing therebetween; and a pair of channel sections secured to said base member adjacent the ends thereof.

8. A device for supporting an elongated member, which includes: a relatively thin mounting element generally perpendicular to the axis of said member, having an opening therethrough for the reception of said member; laterally-insertable resilient means extending into said open- 6. ing to engage the opposite sides of said element and retain said elongated member therein; and positively operated expanding means to hold said resilient means and said member within said element.

9. A device for supporting an elongated member, which includes: a relatively thin mounting element generally perpendicular to the axis oi' said member, having an opening therethrough for the reception of vsaid member; spacing means held in said opening by engagement with the oDDQste faces of said 'element' and retaining said elongated member therein; and a clip engaging said member and comprising expansible arms to retain said member within said opening, and adjustable means to force said arms outwardly.

10. A device for supporting an elongated member, which includes: a generally fiat mounting element whose plane is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said member, said element having an opening therethrough for the reception of said member; spacing means held in said opening by engagement with the opposite faces of said element, and retaining said elongated member therein; and a clip having laterally extending arms adapted to bear against said member to retain the latter within said opening, and a wedging member movable to expand said arms to hold them Within said opening, said clip being held to said mounting element.

l1. A device for supporting an elongated member which includes: a relatively7 thin mounting element generally perpendicular to the axis of said member, having an opening therethrough and a slot extending from an edge thereof to communicate with said opening, said slot and said opening being so dimensioned that said member may pass through said slot into said opening; and locking means engaging said mounting elem-ent, extending through said slot to bear against said member, and having a pair of arms adapted to be expanded to bear against the sides of said opening and said member to hold the latter within said opening, and a wedging member operable to force said arms apart, whereby said member is held within said opening.

12. A device for supporting an elongated member which includes: a relatively thin mounting element having an opening therethrough and a slot extending from an edge thereof to communicat-e with said opening, the narrowest portion of said slot being wide enough to receive said member, and the widest portion of said opening being greater than the narrowest portion of said slot; and locking means extending through said slot into said opening to bear against the walls of the latter and retain said member in said opening.

13. A device for supporting an elongated memvber which includes: a relatively thin mounting element havin-g an opening therethrough and a slot extending from an edge thereof to communicate With said opening, the narrowest portion of said slot being wide enough to receive said inember, and the widest portion of said opening being greater than the narrowest portion of said slot; and a clip having lateral arms extending through said slot into said opening, and a wedging member operable to expand said arms to bear against the walls of said opening and retain said elongated member therein.

14. A device for supporting an elongated member which includes: a relatively thin mounting element having an opening therethrough and a siot extending from an edge thereof to communi? REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED' STATES PATENTS Number v Name Date 2,108,347VA Quarnstrom` Feb. 15, 1938 2,208,779 Timmerman July 23', 1`9`40 2,227,528 Adler Jan. 7, 1941 2,267,379v Tnnerman Dee. 23', 1941 2,291,148 Carson. July 2e, 1942 2,291,430`A Ingersoll July 28', 1942 2,365,985 West Dec. 26', 19'4'4 

